10. Is there a thing whereof it may be said, See, this is new? It hath been already in the ages which were before us.
11. There is no remembrance of former things; neither shall there be remembrance of things that are to come with those who shall live afterwards.
12. I, the Preacher, was king over Israel in Jerusalem.
13. And I applied my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all that is done under the heavens: this grievous occupation hath God given to the children of men to weary themselves therewith.
14. I have seen all the works that are done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity and pursuit of the wind.
15. That which is crooked cannot be made straight; and that which is wanting cannot be numbered.
16. I communed with mine own heart, saying, Lo, I have become great and have acquired wisdom more than all they that have been before me over Jerusalem; and my heart hath seen much of wisdom and knowledge.
17. And I applied my heart to the knowledge of wisdom, and to the knowledge of madness and folly: I perceived that this also is a striving after the wind.
18. For in much wisdom is much vexation, and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.